Vehicle body



K. SCHWENK April 23, 1940.

VEHICLE BODY Filed Aug. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 KUKT SCHWE/yK By: W 44m A ttornpq s April 23, 1940 VEHICLE BODY Filed Aug. 17, 1939 4Sheets-Sheet 2 //7 ventol':

K. SCHWENK 2.1 7.950

KURT SCHWENK Attorneqs':

April 23, 1940'.

VEHICLE BODY Filed Aug. 1'1", 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 //7 venzon' KUKT SCHWENK Att mqqa? K. SCHWENK 2,197,950

VEHICLE Sony Filed Aug. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lnvenzor: KURT SCHWENK Attorneys:

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mouse A VEHICLE Bony Kurt sen Zwicka wenkim 11, Germany Auto Union many llplication August 1'1,

In Germany alsignor to Ohemnits. Get- 1039, Serial No. 290,596 June 4, 9

9 Claims. (01. 296-31) use of separate tools for the inner metal sheet so use of a single tool both for the outer wall elements and the inner wall elements, whereby the cost of purchase and maintenance of the tools is considerably reduced and, moreover, improved fitting of the parts on one another is obtained. SI The manufacture of such vehicle bodies, however, gives rise to difficulties in regard to the apertured wall elements, for example the elements provided with or disposed adjacent the window and door apertures, because the neces- 80 sary flanges provided on both the inner and outer wall members for connecting the inner with the outer wall lead to an undesirable accumulation of material which renders the pressing operation very dimcult to carry out, especially if synthetic 35 plastic materials are used which, as is necessary in the case of vehicle bodies, are of great strength and are therefore inherently difficult to press. Such synthetic plastic materials include primarily the laminated synthetic resinous mate- I 40 rials, the starting material for which is constituted by superimposed layers of fibrous material saturated in synthetic resin. v

The primary object of the present invention is to enable such accumulation of material at 45 the framing parts of the side wall elements, that is to say, the parts adjacent apertures, to be avoided without affecting the enlarged crosssections of such-partsnecessarytotakeupthe high n and without necessitating an inso crease in the number of separate elements or p to be provided for a wall. This object is achieved, according to the invention, by providing a double walled vehicle body side wall of synthetic plastic material, the double wall ssbeing ble of outer and inner pressings which have flanges integrally formed therewith and directed at an angle away therefrom, said flanges being formed alternately on the outer and inner pressings, that is to say, so that a flange on an inner pressing lies adjacent a flange on an outer pressing, not being the complementary outer pressing for such inner pressing, the flanges constituting means for connectingthe inner and the outer pressings together. It will be seen. that this alternate arrangement means that a 10 flange on an inner or outer pressing will have no counterpart on the complementary outer or inner pressing.

It is a further object of theinvention to enable the pressings. including door pressings, to be manufactured in a single pressing operation complete with the necessary flanges, this being carried out by making all the component inner pressings in a single press-tool and/or all the com ponent outer pressings in another single press D0 tool. The necessary separation of the component pressings from one another may be provided for v by constructing the tool, to divide the pressings along the door gaps so. that the pressings will lie in the press-tool in their proper relation corresponding to their relation when assembled. Iin the case of manufacture of the outer pressings in this manner the flanges on the pressing constituting the door and serving to connect it to the complementary inner door pressing is shaped 80 to constitute the door jamb. Making the outerwall in this way enables a'good alignment of the highest points of the curvature of the door and that of the adjacent body parts or pressings to be obtained. Furthermore, as the parts are 86 in their proper relation when leaving the press no subsequent work is required for fitting the door in its aperture nor any subsequent straightening or other finishing operations. In the case of manufacture of the inner pressings in the above 40 way the flanges formed integral therewith are shaped to constitute the door frame so that the latter formed on the inner wall surface can lie close to the door jambs formed on the outer wall surface without any unnecesary or unde- 4.5 sirable accumulation of material occurring during manufacture of the pressings. The door frame thus formed can have its outer edge shaped to constitute the door rabbett which may have sharp edges-resulting during assembly of the parts and without any further operation in sharp edged transitions as is required for satisfactory fltting of the parts adapted to be opened into the fixed parts.

Another object of the invention is to do away with the separately manufactured and subsequently inserted window frames which are necessary in all the known forms of vehicle bodies. According to the invention the window frames are formed in one with the inner pressings, both the door pressings and the adjacent fixed body pressings.

The inner door pressing, with advantage, has a rim formed in one therewith and projecting beyond the door jamb formed by the flange of the outer door pressing, the jamb thus being in the form of a groove which along the top of the door can serve to drain away rain when the door is open. To provide a satisfactory connection between the inner and outer pressings at the particularly dangerous place where the outer pressing is formed with a recess to accommodate the rear road wheel, reinforcement is provided above said recess on said outer pressing.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which show an example of a construction made in accordance with the invention and with reference to which a method of manufacturing same will also be described, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the example shown and may be carried out in various other ways within the ambit of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an outer side wall pressing or composite pressing of an automobilev Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the complementary inner side wall composite pressing;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of an outer and inner wall assembled to form a double-walled side wall, the section being taken on the line ]I[-III of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of part of the press-tool for the inner wall, the section being taken on the same line as Fig. 3 with the composite pressing shown in position in the tool;

Fig. 5 is a corresponding cross-sectional elevation of the tool for the outer composite pressing which is shown in position therein;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section elevation of the assembled side wall, the section being on the line VI-VI of Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fi '7 is another vertical sectional elevation of the assembled side wall on the line VIII-VII of Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring first to Fig. 1 a supporting outer side wall pressing I is made of one piece from the scuttle to the rear portion, doors 2 and 3 being pressed with the side wall pressing I in the same operation. The material of which these parts as well as the;parts to be described further below are made is strong and highly elastic synthetic plastic material such as, in the present case, a superimposed layers of fibrous material saturatedin synthetic resin, or instead of such fibrous material as fabric or paper, substances containing fibre fillers with the fibres unidirectionally aligned which makes for great strength and can be effected by depositing the fillers on a sieve mould whereby a preliminary pressing is produced which, saturated with synthetic resin, is subjected to a finishing pressing operation.

Referring now to .Fig. 2 an inner supporting side wall pressing 4 complementary to the outer side wall pressing I is formed in like manner as the latter, but has inwardly projecting flanges 5 vertical to the plane of the pressing 4 formed in one therewith to serve as a door frame, all the necessary. constructional and ornamental detail such as depressions and projections formed in the pressing operation, for example, recesses 6 to receive the door hinges and recesses 'I to receive the ,usual elastic door buffers. These flanges 5 serve to connect the inner wall pressing 4' to its complementary outer pressing I, for

' after which the parts adapted to be opened, such as the door pressings are either cut out of the pressing-I or 4 or else the separation thereof from the supporting side wall pressings is effected by the tools themselves as will be-hereinafter more fully described.

Fig. 3 shows the complete side wall assembled of the outer and inner pressings, the outer side wall pressing I being without flanges at the parts or edges I2 and I3 surrounding the door apertures whilst the inner pressing 4 has the flanges 5 formed thereon which surround the door apertures and are joined in the middle to form the central door post 2| which is of V-section. The

flanges 5 thus form the door frames, their outer edges I4 and I5 constituting at the same time the door rabbetts which with the adjacent edges of the outer pressings I form sharp cornered transitions. The outer door pressings 2 and 3 have flanges I6 and I1 formed in one therewith which constitute the door iambs and at the same time serve to connect thereto the inner door pressings I0 and II, which have no complementary flanges but are formed with a rim extending all round and projecting beyond the flanges I6 and I! with which they form a groove serving at the top of the door to drain away rain water when the door is in the open position. This can bev seen more clearly from Fig. 6. The inner pressings have the window frames 9 formed thereon, as already stated, and complementary ledges I8 are provided on the outer pressings I, 2, and 3. 4

Fig. 4 shows the manner of manufacturing the composite inner pressing 4, I 0 and II which is seen in position in the press tool necessary for this purpose which consists of an upper-die I9 and a lower die or matrice 20 it can be seen from this that the V-section or U-section door post 2| is made integral with the pressing 4. The cross-section of the door post 2I is made large enough to :enable a heating channel which is necessary for heating the die I9 to be just accommodated therein. The whole inner side wall is pressed under heat in a single operation, the dies being so constructed that gaps equal to the width of the door gaps, i. e., the gaps between the door jambs and door frames are formed to separate the door pressings from the side wall pressing 4, the composite pressing 4', III, II being thus arranged in the tool with its component pressings in the proper relation in which they are when assembled.

Fig. 5 similarly shows the tool for manufacturing the outer pressings I, 2 and 3, the flanges I I forming the door jambs of the two door pressings 2 and 3 being spaced so far apart that a detrimental accumulation of material is avoided. For the rest the pressing operation is similar to that according to 4 and the door s are' separated from the side wall pressing I in like manner.

Hie side wall members I and 4 have roof portions 22 and floor portions 23 connected with complementary portions 24 and 25 respectively,

-to formthe top and bottom framing for the doors. This is more clearly shown in Fig. 6, from which it will also be seen that the part 22 has a ledge 26 moulded .thereon and integral therewith which serves for draining the rain and therefore extends substantially the whole length of the side wall above the doors and windows. .The upper part 21 of the door frame, which is a portal the flanges is made integral with the inner roof portion 24 which forms part of the inner side wall pressing 4.

Fig. 7 shows the manner of connecting the outer pressing l to the inner pressing 4 above the recess 28 for the rear road wheel which is formed in one with the pressing I, as can also be seen from Fig. 1. The pressing I has a reinforced thickened portion 29.above the wheel recess and extending around the same, the portion 29 serving for connection to a complementary reinforced portion on the inner pressing 4 as can be seen from Fig. 2. 1 Fig. 7 also shows that the connection is by means of screw bolts 3! which lie flush pnd completely concealed in the pressings passing through the reinforced portions.

i-{Buch screw bolts-are preferably used in allplac'es where inner and outer pressings are to be connected together such as, for example. in the holes 8 and elsewhere.

- What I claim andd'esii-e to secure by Letters iPatentis:

1. A vehiclebody side wall. of synthetic plastic material comprising outer and inner pressings of said material forming a double-walled structure, and flanges on saidpressings directed at an angle with respect to one face thereof and integral therewith, said flanges being formed alternately on the outer and inner pressings and constituting means for connecting the inner and outer press- I ingstogether.

2. A vehicle body side wall of synthetic plastic material comprising outer and inner pressings of saidsmaterial forming a double-walled structure. saidj'outer pressings including an outer door pressing and arr adjacent body pressing formed in a single pressing operation and said inner pressingsincluding an inner door pr and an adiacent bodypressing likewise formed in a single o ration, and .flanges on said pressings at an angle .with respect to one face door pressings directed at an angle with respect.

to one face thereof and integral therewith and shaped to constitute the door jamb, and said inner pressings including an inner door pressing and an adjacent body pressing formed in a single pressing operation, and flanges on said inner body pressing directed at an angle with respect to one facethereof and integral therewith and shaped to constitute the door frame, all of said flanges constituting means for connecting said inner pressings with said outer pressings.

4. A vehicle body side wall of synthetic plastic material comprising outer and inner pressings of said material forming a double-walled structure a of said side wall, flanges on said pressings directed at an angle with respect to one face thereof andintegral therewith, said outer pressings including an outer door pressing and an adjacent body pressing formed in a single pressing operation, the flanges on said outer door pressing being shaped to constitute the door jamb, and said inner pressings including an inner door pressing and an adjacent body pressing formed in a single pressing operation, the flanges on said outer and inner pressings and constituting means for connecting said pressings together.

5. A vehicle body side wall of synthetic plastic material comprising outer and inner prs of said material forming a double-walled structure.

and flanges on said pressings integral therewith and directed at an angle with respect to one face thereof, said inner pressings embodying window frame parts formed in one therewith and said flanges being formed alternately on theouter and inner pressings and constituting means for 30 connecting said outer pressings with said inner pressings.

.6. A'vehicle body side wall of synthetic plastic material comprising outer pressings and inner pressings of said material assembled to form a double-walled structure of said, side wall. inwardly directed flanges on said pressings integral therewith, said outerpressings including an outer door pressing an an adjacent outer body pressing formed in a single pressing operation, the flanges on said outer door pressing being shaped to constitute the door jamb, and said inner pressings including an inner door pressing and an adjacent, inner body pressing formed in a single pressing 'operation, and a rim on said inner'door 4| pressing projecting over the flanges on said outer door pressing, whereby said door jamb is formed of groove-shape, all said flanges being formed alternately onthe outer and inner pressings and constituting means for connecting said pressings m, together.

1 '7. A vehicle body side wall of synthetic plastic material comprising outer and inner pressings of said material to constitute a double-walled structure, flanges on said pressings inwardly directed 35 at an angle with respect to one face thereof and integral therewith, said outer pr including at least one outer door pressing and an adjacent outer body pressing, said outer body pressing embodying a recess for a rear road wheel, and 9' reinforcements of said outer body pressing positioned above and around said wheel recess to coperate with the on aninn pressing,

all said flanges being formed alternately on the outer and inner pr and constituting means as for connecting said pressin s ogether.

8. A method of manufacturing the side wall of a double-walled vehicle body, consisting in forming the'outer and inner walls of pressings of synthetic plastic material, said outer wall embodying 7o at least one outer door pressing and an adjacentv outer body pressing, and said inner wall embodying at least one inner door pressing andvan adjacent body pressing, each of said walls being completely formed in a single pressing operation. 7

ing two inner door pressings and an adjacent inner body pressing, each of said walls being completely formed in a single pressing operation by a press tool constructed to separate the door pressings from the body pressing of the wall along the door zaps.

KURT 

